5 How fair are your tents , O Jacob , Your dwellings , O Israel ! 6 "Like valleys that stretch out, Like gardens beside the river , Like aloes planted by the Lord , Like cedars beside the waters . 7 "Water will flow from his buckets , And his seed will be by many waters , And his king shall be higher than Agag , And his kingdom shall be exalted . 8 " God brings him out of Egypt , He is for him like the horns of the wild ox . He will devour the nations who are his adversaries , And will crush their bones in pieces, And shatter them with his arrows . 9 " He couches , he lies down as a lion , And as a lion , who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, And cursed is everyone who curses you."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 24:5-9
Commentary on Numbers 24:1-9
(Read Numbers 24:1-9)
Now Balaam spake not his own sense, but the language of the Spirit that came upon him. Many have their eyes open who have not their hearts open; are enlightened, but not sanctified. That knowledge which puffs men up with pride, will but serve to light them to hell, whither many go with their eyes open. The blessing is nearly the same as those given before. He admires in Israel, their beauty. The righteous, doubtless, is more excellent than his neighbour. Their fruitfulness and increase. Their honour and advancement. Their power and victory. He looks back upon what had been done for them. Their power and victory. He looks back upon what had been done for them. Their courage and security. The righteous are bold as a lion, not when assaulting others, but when at rest, because God maketh them to dwell in safety. Their influence upon their neighbours. God takes what is done to them, whether good or evil, as done to himself.